A chronological account of living with the car & exhibiting at various rallies

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Brief history of YDT***G
Purchase price in 1969: £874 + purchase tax = £1,143. Built 6^th to 10^th March 1969. Dispatched 24^th March 1969 to E.W. Jackson and Son Limited of Doncaster. First registered 3^rd April 1969 and issued in Doncaster as YDT ***G. Assumed to have been purchased by a gentleman from new probably in Doncaster. Passed to his niece in Goole for a short period. Purchased by 3^rd owner from Doncaster 19^th March 1993 having covered 33,951 miles. Kept in excellent condition regardless of cost throughout ownership and a regular feature of the classic car scene for many years supporting the local ‘Traditional Car Club of Doncaster’. Purchased by me 17^th December 2004, being the 4^th owner having covered 62,465 miles. Colour: Sherwood Green with Champagne Beige part leather seats and armrests and the interior is trimmed with Walnut veneered wooden fascia and door cappings, the front seats have fold down picnic tables for the comfort of rear seat passengers. Below is the authentification certificate from the British Motor Industry Heritage Trust, click to enlarge.

11.02.2005      Intermediate service requesting to change oil, investigate oil leak, change oil & air filter and plugs. To drain and replace brake fluid with DOT4 and check cylinders, pads and shoes. To advise re; clock inoperation, trip counter reset mechanism, underbody & waxoyl protection, subframe mountings, exhaust, ?excessive cabin engine noise and varnish ‘lifting’ to door cappings. Found slight movement in o/s gearbox drive flange (probably the cause of movement/vibration to steering wheel). Oil leak found to be from filter bowl, seal and new filter fitted. Oil drained and refilled. Plugs changed to NGK BP6ES. Air filter okay. Anti-freeze okay to -15 degrees. Wheels removed, front calipers and pads okay. Rear cylinders and drums okay. Brake fluid drained and refilled, system bled. Suspension trim height found to be down by ½”, suspension blown up to required height. Clock inoperative, may need dash off, could be US as it should be disconnected if not working. Underseal required to small area at front of car. Subframe mountings okay as is exhaust and engine noise. To further enquire about varnish lifting.
11.03.2005      Rear left brake needs ‘taking up’. Need a proper hub cap remover. To feed leather with hide food.
18.04.2005      To garage for: Tightening of drive shaft flange, underseal to front of car, taking up of rear left brake.
04.05.2005      Connolly Hide Food to seat backs, not squabs, except drivers seat. Badges to badge bar, YTCC & TCCD to bar and RAC to grill. Advice from mechanic, car is definitely negative earth.
22.05.2005      Oil filter & plugs from Newark. Previously, brake pads & shoes.
30.05.2005      To look for Fogranger surrounds. Drivers door checkstrap for repair. Check headlight alignment. Door capping varnish. 
09.07.2005      Returning from West Stockwith, Lincolnshire, advised of a split in front right tyre. Noticed bulge to tyre. Wheel changed. Later painted wheel and noticed tyre was remould but with plenty of tread.
11.07.2005      145R12 tyre from local tyre centre, suggesting the cause was a pothole breaking the cords. Wax polish (paste) to roof, bonnet, front wings & bootlid. Used Turtlewax. NECPWA badge to badge bar.
12.07.2005      Chrome tailpipe 35mm (1³/₈”) from local motor factor. Engine does not sound ‘right’ & is getting a little hot when idling. To look at the plugs, carburettors.
14.07.2005      Exhaust may need a new clamp at the manifold to front pipe joint, but this is unclear. Possibility of fitting an extra fan for the radiator by fitting a bracket to the inner wing. Underside of car looks good, most rubber mountings appear in good condition. Window scratches to be polished out. Tin of ‘2 pack’ BLMC Sherwood Green paint from local paint supplier. From their experienced eye there is a mixture of colours around the car. The gold coachline has not been continued fully to it’s proper length. For a full respray at some point (will require c£100 of materials). Whilst trying to secure hubcap centre pieces, all metal securing tags broke off. Changed hubcaps to ‘solid’ chrome ones for now. Immediate jobs to do, therefore;
Replace; Hubcap (& centres), rear view mirror. Paint; Bonnet marks near bulkhead. Bulkhead in engine bay. Clean; Front valance, tyres, wheels, hubcaps. Buy; Hose bandage for badge bar protection. Fan belt.
16.07.2005      Whilst returning from a show at Ackworth, right rear hubcap fell off and was run over by another vehicle and distorted (RIP!). Both rear wheels fitted with original hubcaps (the best of the 3) whilst the front continues with the solid.
31.07.2005      Black plastic wiper arms & blades x2, Lucas rotor arm, Lucas contact points, Fogranger x2, hubcap with centres x2. All from autojumble at 1100 club rally at Rufford
08.08.2005      Full service & MOT. Oil changed to 20w/50, filter replaced. Engine tuned a little to prevent ‘run on’. Driver’s door check link not repairable without removing door skin; the link is broken and it’s fixing point is riveted to the skin via a box. Exhaust manifold to front pipe joint sealed to stop exhaust ‘blowing’. Window scratches probably caused by window rubber being too hard. Plugs, condenser, contact points, rotor arm renewed. Wipers renewed with black plastic ones to pass the MOT. Bonnet moved forward to clear ‘bulkhead’. Exhaust tailpipe finisher screw missing. Engine mountings, corrosion and underseal check carried out last week. Headlight alignment not done. Hubcap centres fixed to hubcaps by using jubilee clips (holding rubber centres to hubcap centres on inside). MOT passed – runs from 20^th August. At 64,500 miles. Air filter purchased.
16.08.2005      Cleaned Fogranger spot lamps purchased at Rufford with Autosol. Cleaned and fixed hubcaps and centres to front wheels. Need self tapping screws for exhaust tailpipe finisher.
20.08.2005      Exhaust tailpipe finisher replaced. Found front passenger door window seal to be split whilst using Autoglym Bumper Care (to clean rubber and to keep it soft). Used Hamilton's Leather Cleaner on rear seat and front passenger seat for first time – can’t see much difference. Cleaned dash with Mr Sheen (he didn't mind) – looks ok. Found some scratches on front left wing, attempted to T-Cut them out with little success. Removed steering wheel cover to reveal it’s perfectly adequate condition.

Photos prior to painting - click to enlarge
                   

2.11.2005        Car sent for painting & for odd jobs. To paint both front wings (bubbles noticed under both headlights), passenger side rear door, rear panel, bonnet scuttle area, touch up engine bay under brake fluid reservoir. Repair driver’s door checkstrap. Replace fog lamps with supplied. Powder coating to 5 wheels. Waxoyl all cavities. Photo record of problems/work done. Right headlight bowl found to be corroded - replaced.

18.01.2006      Painting done as described 2.11.05. Wheels powder coated by a firm in Castleford. Waxoyl all round. New aerial supplied as old one US. Driver’s door checkstrap partially repaired as part of the fixing was broken on the door itself.

Photos after painting
                    

21.04.2006            Began to run car after lengthy time in garage. No real problems.
28.04.2006      Oil change at 65,000 miles. New rear exhaust mountings.
01.05.2006      35 amp fuse in the 3-4 position in the fuse box blew twice on the way to a show. Fuse box needed cleaning and bringing up to scratch. Purchased extra fuses and second hand fuse box at Thoresby autojumble. Head gasket set also bought.
03.05.2006      Replaced fuse box after thorough cleaning. Cleaned most electrical terminals. Removed battery, repainted battery tray and cleaned terminals.
04.05.2006      Repainted air cleaner gloss black to cover previous overspray. Cleaned rocker cover satisfactorily of overspray – still some in engine bay.
06.05.2006      16x 35amp fuses from Ackworth jumble.
11.06.2006      Wheel and tyre purchased as spare.
29.06.2006      Attempted to refurbish side/flasher lamp cluster without success. Rubber seals in very poor condition. Sidelight terminals cleaned. To look for Lucas L746.
12.07.2006      Requirements: Rubber seals for flasher units; Hubcaps with centres, Hubcap remover, Interior mirror, Door cappings, Exhaust clamp, Fuse box.
16.07.2006      1100 and 1300 BMC Workshop Manual from Newby autojumble.
17.07.2006      Arranged for MOT w/c 20.08.2006. To check underbody, passenger front door ?sagging.
22.07.2006      Cleaned and painted coil and bracket. Took all afternoon to remove the ‘elbow’ (top hose to thermostat) for cleaning. Managed to remove interior mirror and discover how it is fixed – to enable replacement as the old mirror is ‘yellowing’. The opportunity was taken to remove the rocker cover and to inspect the gasket. The gasket was in good condition. The rocker cover was found to have some of the chrome peeling off in 2 or 3 places. The cover and fittings were cleaned and polished before replacement. The rocker shafts and arms looked clean and well oiled.
28.07.2006      Leather paint in ‘Biscuit’ from Frosts.
29.07.2006      4Life from Holden's, fuse box to follow. I am informed that 4Life coolant does not need replacement but just topping up.
14.08.2006      Fuse box from Holden's.
27.08.2006      Whilst driving to Crich Museum, engine sounds a little rough. Possibly exhaust blowing. Discussion with YTCC member suggests ‘pinking’ although I am not convinced.
05.09.2006      Exhaust manifold gasket blowing. Awaiting replacement. Hubcaps need replacement.
09.09.2006      Received car back after above gasket & tuning.
10.09.2006      To Otley & back with no problems.
24.09.2006      Top radiator hose, rotor arm and Desmo badge clip from Newark autojumble. Engine noise returns but cannot pinpoint the cause.
01.10.2006      Inner wing to subframe mounting (need another for the set), interior mirror (subsequently broke) from York autojumble.
04.10.2006      Suspect head gasket problem as I can feel blowing from rear left side of head or manifold. Car taken to the 'menders' where the diagnosis is confirmed – the head gasket has gone! Luckily, I have a spare set.
12.12.2006      The car has been unused for some time now. Didn't really want to start.

11.01.2007      Tried it again! No problems! Is there a problem! Seems to run okay for no particular reason. Ah well, if it's not broke...
21.01.2007      Bought a few service items from Huddersfield Autojumble - oil filter, brake pads, rotor arm, engine and subframe mounts. On 27th February at Huddersfield, bought a further rear view mirror and a head gasket set as a spare.
30.03.2007    Car sent for 'pre-season fettling'. The battery was checked and found to be okay. The engine was again running hot and sounding as though it was 'blowing' a tad. A little grinding to the exhaust manifold, a new gasket and a new exhaust system was required and the engine tuned which eliminated the above problems. Now sounds sweeter. Front passenger door lifted to ensure good closure. Points and plugs cleaned. Oil and filter changed. Underside of car treated as required with sealant. Suspension height reset. The car needs a run to ensure the above have improved things to the necessary standard. Current mileage 67,850.
17.04.2007    Collected the car and went for a short run which presented no problems. Fitted the new rear view mirror without breaking it!
22.04.2007    Attended Elsecar Heritage Centre near Barnsley as part of the FBHVCs recommended 'Drive It Day' run by the Traditional Car Club of Doncaster (TCCD). A very good turn out of cars with over 150 present.

 
 
Talbot, Vanden Plas, Daimler SP250 and Porsche 356 - just a snippet from the car show. The Talbot and Daimler were my 'cars of the show', see 'Classic Shows' page.

22.05.2007    No problems with the 'Princess', but idle speed of the engine probably needs advancing a little. After almost a week of rain today's weather was exceptional and the Traditional Car Club of Doncaster's event at the newly renovated Cusworth Hall was an outstanding success with over 240 cars attending their 'Picnic in the Park' with the added attraction of the 'Battle of Britain Memorial Flight' flypast in celebration of the 50th anniversary of the flight's inauguration.

   
Just a few of the attractions at Cusworth Hall near Doncaster, more pictures on the 'Classic Shows' page.

28.05.2007    Unfortunately, bad weather prevented me from attending Nostell Priory near Wakefield for their Steam and Country Show as I had planned.
03.06.2007    The Pre-War Austin 7 Club must be congratulated for putting on an excellent show at Wollaton Park, Notts. and for providing the good weather. It was a drive of over an hour to the venue and the Princess coped fairly well, the engine only getting warm whilst queuing to get in. Besides the vast array of Austin 7s of all shapes and sizes, there were many varied vehicles from all periods including some commercials, buses and modern day models. In addition there was a large autojumble, brass bands and craft stalls to cater for most tastes. All in all, a very good day out.
I have noticed some minor signs of rust along the passenger side of the floor pan where it meets the sill which will need attention at the end of the 'season'.
30.06.2007    Unfortunately, the 'weatherman' again intervened and prevented me from attending the Waddington Air Show.

01.07.2007    Determined to attend one show this weekend, I went to the Clumber Park Steam Rally and Country Fair. The car performed favourably but was quite dirty by the end of the day. The weather was changeable in the extreme, heavy showers and bright sunshine, the ground being sodden. Did not particularly enjoy it!
15.07.2007    The Newby Hall show near Ripon once again did not fail to please despite the weather - a very wet drive home, loads of spray! Cleaning the car revealed more areas that needed attention, eg. overriders probably need rechroming at some point, some paint peeling on wheel arches, front passenger seat is a little askew and needs twisting (?) to allow the picnic table to seat properly.
22.07.2007    My intention to exhibit the Princess at the Ackworth Steam Rally was thwarted at the entrance by about 6 inches of mud! So I turned around, consulted my diary & found the East Yorkshire Thoroughbred Club was hosting an event at the Elvington Air Museum near York which turned out to be quite enjoyable except for one prolonged shower, but once it passed there was warm sunshine. Plenty of classics and air exhibits. No hiccoughs from the car on the drive there or on return.
28.07.2007    Purchased a pair of second-hand L746 sidelight units without the original rubber seals.
29.07.2007    A 50 mile trip to the 'Traditional Car Club's' event at Rufford Park near Ollerton (Notts) did not suit the car. An unknown noise was heard towards the end of the drive down, a noise which did not sound too healthy. Switching off the engine and moving the key to the 1st position saw the temperature gauge soar immediately to 'hot'. There also seems to have been too much pressure in the cooling system as the top hose was quite hard. After allowing the engine to cool, the radiator needed topping up and the expansion tank was empty. The noise ( a whining sound) has yet to be identified, but I think it needs to go the menders! My thanks are due to those who offered advice and assistance in trying to solve this 'headache'.
The show itself was very good with a number of members cars, the added attractions of a craft fair, dog show and the facilities at Rufford, made for an enjoyable experience.

08.08.2007    Diagnostics revealed that the ‘whining’ noise experienced during my journey to Rufford emanated from the dynamo (never thought of that one). Apparently the bearings in the dynamo were excessively worn and beyond salvation. A replacement was, therefore, sought and fitted. It seems the coolant problems were a ‘red herring’. The high pressure in the system is normal after a long run and when the engine is hot but the radiator expansion tank should not have been empty. It should, however, be only a third full. I over-filled it when found empty as I found out when I released the radiator cap on reaching home – coolant everywhere. Fortunately, I had allowed it to cool down beforehand. The apparent over-heating could also be explained away. If you switch off the engine when it is hot and then turn the ignition key to the 1^st position, the temperature gauge will continue to rise until the engine has cooled. It follows that when the engine is not turning over it is not driving the fan and, therefore, allows for ineffective cooling. On top of this, if the dynamo is defective, it may not drive the fan at the correct speed.
19.08.2007    Attended the 40th Anniversary Show of the Traditional Car Club in Doncaster. A rather showery day spoiled what was otherwise a very good show and included many attractions which was topped by a flypast of a WWII Lancaster bomber.
21.08.2007    The car fails the MOT on handbrake efficiency which was later attended to. The retest was successful, but the handbrake now only moves 'one click' and is difficult to release. What a ridiculous thing the MOT is where firstly, a retest is required once a particular problem is eliminated and, secondly, it states that the certificate is not evidence the vehicle is in a satisfactory condition! What is its purpose in that case?
22.09.2007    A 50 mile (or so) drive to a show in Gainsborough, Lincolnshire, did the car no good. On reaching the show field I noticed fluid on the rear offside wheel and tyre and, on wiping it off, I found the wheel to be extraordinarily hot! At first I thought it was oil, but further investigation revealed it was grease and my thoughts turn to a wheel bearing problem. So as not to compound the problem, I decide to have the car transported home and contacted the RAC to do the job. Whilst I have had no real problems with them before, today proved somewhat different. One and a half hours to wait for assistance - a van was sent to diagnose the problem - an hour later, the transporter arrived, but it was the wrong sort. It was a '2 wheel lifter'. You cannot lift an automatic to run on the driving wheels. A little later, the right one appeared and 4 hours after the 1st call, I arrive home! My planned trip to the Beamish Museum tomorrow is scuppered.
25.09.2007    The car is sent to the garage for diagnosis & fixing. On it's return it appears the brakes were over-adjusted at the last MOT and were binding causing the area to get hot which melted the bearing grease. Fortunately, the bearings were in good order and nothing further was required after re-adjustment of the brakes.
06.10.2007    A long run to Sturton in Lincolnshire proved to be uneventful - no problems with the brakes. A bonus was 2nd prize in the Classic Car Section of the Sturton by Stow Agricultural Show run by the 'Lincs & Louth Motor Club'. This is the 1st time an award has been achieved during my ownership.
An even longer run the following day to a show at Bolton Abbey Station, North Yorkshire, again proved uneventful for the car.
03.11.2007    New spark plugs fitted, NGK6BPES, contact points examined and seem okay.

22.01.2008    Rimbellishers, hubcaps and overriders sent for re-chroming as they are looking decidedly tatty.
04.03.2008    The above chromework collected from Prestige Electro Plating of Mexborough, South Yorkshire who have done quite a good job. The re-fitting will have to wait as the car is presently undergoing a pre-season examination.
01.04.2008    Enquiries to my 'fettler' reveal the passenger side footwell needed welding and the front passenger seat requires further examination to enable it to 'sit right'.
18.04.2008    At 69,770 miles the following has been undertaken; oil flush, oil and filter change, throttle cable lubricated and a clip for a cable under the nearside front wing to prevent trailing wires is contrived. Welding was required to the front passenger floor panel and inner sill and a plate to the underside of the floor pan to the sill with primer applied. 
20.04.2008    Today is 'Drive It Day', so I drove it....to Elsecar Heritage Centre where the TCCD was holding a rally. Unfortunately, the weather was unkind, cold and wet, which encouraged me to leave earlier than I normally would have. 
27.04.2008    Oh dear! Another show and more rain, this time at Tadcaster which is, nevertheless, fairly well attended. The car has exhibited no problems whilst attending these shows despite the lengthy winter lay off.
18.05.2008    An early start to attend a show at Sewerby Park in Bridlington, North Yorkshire. Not having attended before, I did not realise it was so far, taking 2 hours to get there. The show itself was organised by the East Yorkshire Thoroughbred Car Club and was very well attended. Only a cold breeze detracted from a sunny day. Sewerby Hall itself is by the sea and makes the venue all the more attractive. A few miles further brings you to Flamborough Head and it's lighthouse - picturesque. The only downside was the distance I travelled of 156 miles - 4 hours on the road takes it out of you! The top speed of 60-65mph was handled admirably by the car, no stuttering at all.

            
Images L-R from Sewerby, Nostell, Cusworth, Sherburn, Wollaton, Brodsworth & Sledmere - click to enlarge

24.05.2008    Attended the Nostell Priory Steam event near Pontefract. The car appears to be running okay but a rattle from underneath is bothersome and seems to be getting worse. My mind turns to the exhaust which is, however, only a year old. The show was reasonable, the day sunny but the wind made it a little chilly.
25.05.2008    Today brought a 'Picnic in the Park' at Cusworth Hall near Doncaster, a very well attended event on a sunny but very windy day.
26.05.2008    The third show in 3 days when I turned up at Sherburn Aero Club's Vintage & Veterans Day at Sherburn-in-Elmet, Yorkshire. The wind persists and I am  surprised to see aerobatics taking place despite this. They don't usually fly sideways do they? An excellent bacon sandwich and a good display of cars and aircraft did not dampen the spirits.
01.06.2008    Another early start to go to the 'Autokana' at Wollaton Park, Nottingham. Rain and spray on the motorway made it a filthy drive down. It continues rain to mid-morning and then it was just 'grey' but, thankfully, not as windy. It would have been an excellent show but for the weather. The rattle under the car is worse.
04.06.2008    Can't stand the rattle any more so it's off to the menders! I also discover, whilst driving in the rain, the driver's side demister vent seems to be blocked.
14.06.2008    A metal disc was removed from the inside of the exhaust which was the probable cause of the rattle. A drive tomorrow will give proof. It seems that the near-side sill has previously been replaced but the end was not sealed thus allowing water to collect in the area when draining from the roof gutter and down the A post. This was patched and may require removal of the wing to facilitate a proper repair. The heater/demister vent on the dash rail was cleared. On it's return I treated the car to a new battery as the old one was on it's last legs.
15.06.2008    Visited Brodsworth Hall near Doncaster for a 'Fathers Day Classic Show'. Mostly warm with one heavy shower. A good show. The rattle under the car has mostly disappeared, but is still evident when going over bumps in the road.
29.06.2008    A 69 mile trip to a show at Sledmere near Driffield returned a figure of about 34 mpg and, at around 60-65 mph, in these days of high fuel prices is a number I can live with. This does not, however, mean I should not try to get more by driving more economically. The show itself was, as usual with NECPWA, very good and the setting of Sledmere House very pleasant. Spots of rain in the early afternoon saw people heading for the exit so I decided I would follow. Shortly after the heavens opened and the drive home was unpleasant. The car took it in it's stride with no problems at all.

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